By Boat to Ischia in Amalfi Coast and Capri

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By Boat to Ischia

Like the other islands in the Bay of Naples, Ischia is well connected with the mainland in all seasons. However, the last sailings leave for Naples and Pozzuoli at about 8 PM, and you should allow plenty of time for getting to the port and locating the relevant ticket office. Unlike Capri and Procida, Ischia has three ports -- Ischia Porto, Casamicciola, and Forio (hydrofoils only) -- so you should choose your ferry or hydrofoil according to your destination. The closest mainland port to Ischia is that of Pozzuoli, where you have the added bonus -- besides paying lower fares -- of walking through the colorful fish market on your way to the jetty. Many of the sailings go via Procida, giving you an attractive glimpse of its waterfront but also extending travel time by 10-15 minutes. As on Capri, residents are subject to restrictions on taking cars over to the island, while non-Italians can move relatively freely.

Alilauro has roughly one hydrofoil per hour traveling from Mergellina, Naples to Ischia Porto (EUR 12 high season, EUR 11 low season, travel time 40 minutes). From May through September, five hydrofoils per day depart for Forio (EUR 13 high season, EUR 12 low season, travel time 50 minutes).

Caremar offers 10 hydrofoil departures from Molo Beverello, Naples to Ischia Porto (EUR 12.30, travel time between 45 minutes and 1 hour) and five ferry departures per day (EUR 7.30, travel time 1 hour, 30 minutes). Ferry departures are also available from Pozzuoli (EUR 5, travel time 1 hour).

Linee Lauro sends roughly one hydrofoil every two hours from Molo Beverello, Naples to Ischia Porto (EUR 12.50, travel time 40 minutes), and eight ferry departures per day to Ischia Porto (EUR 7, travel time 1¼ hours).

SNAV offers a hydrofoil every hour from Mergellina or Molo Beverello, Naples, to the marina of Casamicciola (EUR 11, travel time 50 minutes).

Traghetti Pozzuoli has a ferry departing every hour from Pozzuoli, sometimes docking at Casamicciola (EUR 6, travel time 1 hour).

Fares & Schedules

Departure schedules are listed every day in the local newspaper Il Mattino. Buy a single ticket rather than a round-trip, which would tie you to the same line on your return journey.

Boat & Ferry Information

Alilauro (081/7611004. www.alilauro.it). Caremar (081/5513882. www.caremar.it). Linee Lauro (081/5522838). SNAV (081/7612348). Traghetti Pozzuoli (081/527736. www.traghettipozzuoli.it).